Marcello stared at the Brunette who looked like she was on the verge of passing out, didn't she know this elevator was meant for him?
"Get going miss, I've got places to be" He snarled, it seemed like she got the hint of impatience in his voice and darted immediately out of the elevator like a headless chicken.
Celeste was devastated as she stared at the closed doors of the elevator. She never imagined that their next meeting would be like this, she had angered him and now he will definitely dislike her presence.
"Celeste what are you doing near the Executive elevator" someone whispered furiously, Celeste turned and saw Mrs Adel who was Uncle Theo's former Secretary and her new coach till the due date of her travel since Mrs Adel had married an Egyptian and was traveling back with him.
"I'm so sorry, I had no idea" Celeste gushed, swallowing nervously as she realized her mistake. Mrs Adel grabbed her and pulled her towards the staff's elevator.
"you're lucky Mr Martino isn't in town or you're cooked if he found you there" She warned as they both stepped into the elevator. Celeste's eyes bulged in fear at Mrs. Adel's words, "It appears he is in town" She said in a trembling voice, Mrs. Adel turned to her confused.
Celeste's wide eyes and trembling lips were a dead giveaway, and it suddenly clicked. "Did you meet Mr. Martino in the Elevator?" She queried, and Celeste nodded. Mrs Adel shook her head, her shoulders slumping in defeat, "Let's just hope he doesn't recognize you, or he forgets it" she said picking the 3rd floor.
They both walked to the office, heels clicking against the gleaming tiled floors. Uncle Theo spotted Celeste who looked just like his younger sister Selena, though now she looked really pale. " Dove who got you looking as white as a ghost?" He teased pulling her into a bear hug.
Celeste felt calmer now her Uncle hugged her, she took deep breaths and felt her composure slipping back in place.
"Well she saw something worse than a ghost" Mrs Adel teased, Uncle Theo looked at her and she nodded. He quickly understood and barked out a laugh before releasing Celeste and moving back to his desk, " You encountered Marcello in a bad mood on your first day, talk about a bad omen" he grinned, which only jumbled Celeste's nerves.
"Will I be fired?" She asked in a resigned voice, and Uncle Theo shook his head, "have more faith in your Uncle, Dove and head back to work I will deal with Marcello if need be" he assured her and she smiled brightly, going to grab the files Mrs Adel had laid out.
*
*
*
Marcello couldn't concentrate as his mind kept returning to the previous night. Despite the fact that he made peace with Lorenzo, he still felt betrayed that Lorenzo chose the mafia over their promise.
The door opened and Claudia his latest bedmate and daughter of the senator walked in, looking very chic and beautiful as always though he didn't need any of her drama as his emotions were strained. Before he could send her away, She broke into her tirade.
"Marcello it's been 3 weeks now! Even a text is alright, and even if you found another girl shouldn't you let me know?!" She shouted dumping her bag on his desk before sitting.
Marcello groaned, he could feel his temper surfacing again and Claudia seemed like the perfect person who would pop it but he held himself back not wanting to be on bad terms with the senator by hurting his only child.
"What have I said about interrupting my work hours" he said calmly,
"Damn those precious work hours of yours Marcello, that's no excuse to avoid me like I'm some diseased animal" she screamed, landing her palm heavily on the desk and rattling some documents.
"Tesoro mio( my treasure) what have I told you about your anger issues and overthinking habits, they aren't good for your pretty head," he said softly, standing and coming over to where Claudia sat flustered by his sudden switch from proper English to his tongue.
"I...I was worried...well...I thought you were cheating on me" she stuttered, trying and failing to hold onto onto her. She had hoped to Infuriate him enough so he would tell her why he was avoiding her, but that seemed to be failing. He smiled softly, and then tucked her hair behind her ear, grazing her cheeks in the tenderest touch that had Claudia's breath seizing.
"I have been very busy, and you know very well how much I enjoy your kisses, Cara, so stop overthinking and go home," he said huskily, Claudia stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck, tightly pressing her breasts against him and hoping to get a stronger reaction from him, maybe one that could make him take her home tonight.
"If you enjoy them, then come with me and I will give you as much as you want everywhere" She whispered against his neck.
Marcello who was already getting tired of her games carefully unwrapped her arms, "go home Claudia, you know how much I hate mingling work and personal life" he said unemotionally, Claudia knew she had crossed the line by coming to his workplace but she refused to leave because if she left now, she knew she was getting replaced and that was how her predecessor had lost him by trying to seduce him at work too.
"I will go home if you promise to come over tonight" She begged still clutching his hands, desperate for assurance. She had thought she had worked her way into his heart over the past few months since other mistresses lasted only weeks, but the way he looked at her now warned her that her reign was over.
"I won't now leave" he ordered, pulling his hands out and going to sit back on his chair. Claudia decided to play her last card, one she had been saving since, in case something like this happened. She had hoped to play the pregnancy card too and scandal to force him to marry her, but now she had no time to prepare so she settled for this.
"I told my father about us", She said looking anywhere but at him, Marcello froze. He couldn't believe his ears, "You did what?" He roared, and Claudia flinched, suddenly wishing she could tell him it was a lie, but needing him more than she feared him, who was she kidding she was in love with Marcello Martino.
"I am tired of being only a sex partner to you Marcello, someone you just fuck and go shower immediately like you can't bear to be reminded of my touch" she cried, Marcello stalked towards her, fury written over his face.
"That was the fucking deal, Claudia, you agreed to it, hell! You begged for it remember" he growled, "well it isn't enough Marcello, I want more Marcello please, I love you so much, so why won't you love me too"
Marcello watched her with disgust, knowing she had set him up for trouble. The last thing a conglomerate as famous as VALVERRA needed was a scandal when their problems seemed to be growing daily.
He needed to go check on their farms and find out why the harvest was turning out poor, and now Claudia had involved her father, he hoped the Senator wouldn't try to build to pull any dirty tricks.
"What exactly did you tell your father?" He asked tersely, Claudia grabbed her bag immediately knowing that he would kill her if he knew. The phone rang interrupting them, Marcello hurried over since he was expecting a call from the supervisor he had sent to check the recent harvest.
His jaw clenched when he saw the Senator's name, he glanced at Claudia's retreating figure and knew something terrible was brewing.
"Good day Senator Clinton" he greeted with false calmness.
"Mr Martino long time no see" The Senator laughed, and Marcello's hand tightened on the phone.
"It has indeed been a long time, to what do I owe this pleasure," Marcello said, his fingers drumming on his desk.
"My princess broke the good news to me this morning, I believe congratulations are in order though I'm quite surprised" he chuckled.
"What are you talking about?" Marcello asked, a frown marring his face.
"She said you proposed," Senator Clinton said uncertainly, the earth stilled briefly before rage burst through Marcello and he flung the glass plaque on his desk against the wall, and a deafening crash echoed stunning the Senator into silence.